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Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute (MVCRI), Plovdiv is a national research center for scientific, scientific-applied activities and extension service in the field of the vegetable crops and potato breeding, the technologies for vegetable crops growing. The Institute is situated in the Thracian valley – the biggest vegetable production region in Republic of Bulgaria.

This institute is a research unit in the structure of the Agricultural Academy. At present 24 researchers with PhD degree, 16 of which are with academic ranks, are working in the institute. The achievements of the scientists in the MVCRI are well known abroad that makes them competitive partners in research studies in the field of vegetable production.

There are two departments in the institute: “Breeding, Variety Maintenance and Introduction” and “Technologies in Vegetable Crops Production” and laboratories for tissue cultures, control of quality, physiology, virus disease immunity, cytology, molecular biology, phytopathology, entomology and agrochemistry.

Throughout more than 80 years there are developed over 300 varieties and F1 hybrids from tomato, pepper, cucumbers, cabbage, garden bean, garden peas, onion, leek, potato etc.

Priority research directions in the institute:

Development of new varieties and hybrids in vegetable crops and potato using conventional and biotechnological methods with good chemical, technological and taste qualities – balanced acid and sugar content, optimal dry matter content, rich of natural antioxidantssuitable for fresh consumption and processing as functional foods, resistant to biotic and abiotic factors.

Improvement of systems for integrated and organic production giving sustainable and competitive development of vegetable production.

The MVCRI is with programme authorization for education in doctoral programmes “Breeding and seed production of crop plants”, “Vegetable crops production” and “Plant protection”.